All local govt poll centres to be finalised 25 days before vote: EC

The Election Commission has decided to finalise the list of polling centres for all types of local government elections at least 25 days before polling day, according to a new directive issued on Saturday, July 11.

The EC announced the decision after amending the 'Local Government Election Polling Centre Establishment and Management Policy-2025'. Previously, the list for district and upazila parishad elections was finalised 15 days before voting; this period has now been extended to 25 days.

The commission stated that the change brings district and upazila parishad polls in line with city corporation, municipality and union parishad elections, which already required a 25-day lead time.

The amended policy also mandates one polling booth for every 600 male voters and one for every 500 female voters in all local government elections.

The EC is planning to hold union parishad and municipality elections starting in the first week of October, with schedules to be announced in mid-August. The commission has already written to relevant government departments to expedite the delimitation of local government boundaries.